Secret Service agents in scandal placed on leave

'That ultimately threatens the safety of the president'

Published: 04/15/2012 at 12:26 AM

(Wall Street Journal)CARTAGENA, Colombia—The Secret Service put 11 agents on administrative leave Saturday amid allegations they brought prostitutes back to their hotel rooms while preparing for a visit by President Barack Obama, a widening scandal that may also involve five military service personnel, officials said Saturday.

The Secret Service agents were caught when one of the women stayed in an agent’s room past 7 a.m., in violation of hotel policy, said Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, which oversees the Secret Service. That agent initially refused to open his door for the hotel manager, which prompted the manager to call the police, who later reported the incident to the U.S. embassy, Mr. King said.